Financial Regulation

ISA Regulations Amended for Long Term Asset Funds and cETNs

HM Revenue & Customs has amended the Individual Savings Account Regulations 2026 to allow investments in Long Term Asset Funds and cryptoasset exchange traded notes (cETNs) within ISAs. These changes aim to extend investor choice while managing risks associated with digital finance.

Tax Note: Power to Permit Regulations for 2024-2025 Tax Year

HM Revenue & Customs has updated the power to permit regulations for the 2024-2025 tax year. This measure allows new regulations made under the Finance Act 2024 to take effect retroactively and extends the expiration of the power to June 30, 2026. Regulations made will be subject to affirmative parliamentary procedure.

Child Trust Funds: cETNs Banned from April 2026

HM Revenue & Customs has issued the Child Trust Funds (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which will ban cryptoasset exchange traded notes (cETNs) from being held in Child Trust Funds effective April 6, 2026. Existing holdings can remain in the account.

TPR: Master trusts prepare for future scale requirements

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published guidance for UK defined contribution (DC) master trusts on preparing for new scale requirements under the Pension Schemes Bill. The guidance encourages trustees to evaluate their growth potential and operational readiness, with a minimum asset threshold of £25bn expected from 2030.

Colorado Warns of Online Investment Scams During Consumer Protection Week

The Colorado Division of Securities issued a warning about online investment scams during National Consumer Protection Week. The notice highlights common schemes like unsolicited cryptocurrency fraud and romance scams, referencing FTC data on significant financial losses to these activities.

OSC, AMF, CIRO Approve Financial Services Platform Test

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) have approved Project Samara, a financial services platform test in Canada. This experimental project evaluates a distributed ledger technology platform for bond transactions, involving major financial institutions and the Bank of Canada.

OSC Investor Warnings: Unregistered Companies

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has issued investor warnings for eight unregistered companies operating in Ontario. These companies are not authorized to deal or advise in securities, posing a potential risk to investors.

Canadian Securities Regulators Disrupt Over 7,500 Fraudulent Investment Websites

Canadian securities regulators announced the disruption of over 7,586 fraudulent investment and crypto scam websites between June 2025 and February 2026. This initiative, part of Fraud Prevention Month, highlights ongoing efforts to protect investors from online fraud.

Canadian Securities Regulators Strengthen Benchmark Assurance Report Requirements

Canadian securities regulators have adopted final amendments to Multilateral Instrument 25-102, strengthening assurance report requirements for designated benchmarks. These changes clarify the scope, timing, and level of assurance for reports submitted by independent public accountants, aiming to enhance governance and controls over benchmarks. The amendments are set to come into force on May 5, 2026.

CSA Publishes 2025 Systemic Risk Committee Annual Report

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has published its 2025 Systemic Risk Committee Annual Report, analyzing financial market trends, emerging risks, and potential vulnerabilities in Canadian capital markets. The report highlights the rise of AI and stablecoins as key areas of focus for potential financial stability impacts.